U.S. patent number 5,313,052 [Application Number 07/903,972] was granted by the patent office on 1994-05-17 for aircraft baggage managing system utilizing a response circuit provided on a baggage tag.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Nippondenso Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Tatsuya Hirata, Atsushi Watanabe.
United States Patent |
5,313,052 |
Watanabe , et al. |
May 17, 1994 |
Aircraft baggage managing system utilizing a response circuit
provided on a baggage tag
Abstract
A system for computer-managing information of baggage to be
loaded in an aircraft. The system comprises a response circuit
attached to the baggage and a reader disposed at a classification
point of the baggage. The response circuit operates to input and
store baggage information indicative of at least a flight name of
the aircraft and the owner of the baggage, and in response to a
question electromagnetic wave, outputs a response electromagnetic
wave containing the baggage information. The reader transmits the
question electromagnetic wave to the response circuit means and to
receive the response electromagnetic wave from the response
circuit, thereby reading out the baggage information so that the
baggage can be classified in accordance with the read baggage
information. Also included is a computer for inputting and storing
the baggage information read by the reader and for inputting and
storing information representative of the owner of the baggage, the
computer performing a verification between the baggage owner and
the baggage on the basis of the inputted baggage information and
the inputted owner information.
Inventors: |
Watanabe; Atsushi (Toyokawa,
JP), Hirata; Tatsuya (Ichinomiya, JP) |
Assignee: |
Nippondenso Co., Ltd. (Kariya,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
15675628 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/903,972 |
Filed: |
June 26, 1992 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 28, 1991 [JP] |
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3-158617 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
235/375;
235/384 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64F
1/366 (20130101); G07B 15/00 (20130101); B64F
1/368 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B64F
1/36 (20060101); B64F 1/00 (20060101); G07B
15/00 (20060101); G06F 015/21 () |
Field of
Search: |
;235/375,380,384 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0048809 |
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Jan 1991 |
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EP |
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2209304 |
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Jun 1974 |
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FR |
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61-203021 |
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Sep 1986 |
|
JP |
|
2237479 |
|
May 1991 |
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GB |
|
2238210 |
|
May 1991 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Willis; Davis L.
Assistant Examiner: Frech; Karl D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cushman, Darby & Cushman
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An aircraft baggage managing system for managing information of
a baggage to be loaded in an aircraft, comprising:
a tag to be attached to said baggage and containing a verification
slip;
response circuit means, attached to said tag, for inputting and
storing baggage information, including:
means for receiving a first electromagnetic wave,
means, responsive to said first electromagnetic wave, for
outputting a second electromagnetic wave indicative of said baggage
information, and
means for stopping the operation of said response circuit means
when said verification slip is removed from said tag; and
reader means for transmitting said first electromagnetic wave to
said response circuit and receiving said second electromagnetic
wave from said response circuit, and reading out said baggage
information indicated by said second electromagnetic wave so that
said baggage is classified in accordance with said baggage
information.
2. An aircraft baggage managing system according to claim 1,
wherein said reader means reads out said baggage information when
said baggage is encased in one of a plurality of containers to be
loaded into said aircraft.
3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein a plurality of reader
means are provided so as to correspond to said plurality of
containers to be loaded into said aircraft, said plurality of
reader means reading out said baggage information so as to manage
said plurality of containers in which said baggage is encased.
4. A system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:
means for inputting passenger information into a computer when a
passenger boards said aircraft; and
means for verifying that said baggage to be loaded into said
aircraft corresponds to said passenger boarding said aircraft on
the basis of the baggage information read by said reading means and
the inputted passenger information.
5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said response circuit
means further includes starting means for starting an operation of
said response circuit means when a portion of said tag is cut.
6. An aircraft baggage managing system as claimed in claim 1,
further comprising a computer for inputting and storing said
baggage information read by said reader means and for inputting and
storing information representative of an owner of said baggage,
said computer performing a verification between said baggage owner
and said baggage on the basis of the inputted baggage information
and the inputted owner information.
7. An aircraft baggage managing system for managing information of
a baggage to be loaded in an aircraft, comprising:
a tag to be attached to said baggage and containing a verification
slip;
response circuit means, attached to said tag, for inputting and
storing baggage information, including:
means for receiving a first electromagnetic wave,
means, responsive to said first electromagnetic wave, for
outputting a second electromagnetic wave indicative of said baggage
information,
means for supplying power to elements constituting said response
circuit means, and
means for discharging the remaining power of said power supplying
means when said verification slip is removed from said tag; and
reader means for transmitting said first electromagnetic wave to
said response circuit and receiving said second electromagnetic
wave from said response circuit, and reading out said baggage
information indicated by said second electromagnetic wave so that
said baggage is classified in accordance with said baggage
information.
8. An aircraft baggage managing system for managing information of
a baggage to be loaded in an aircraft, comprising:
a tag to be attached to said baggage and containing a verification
slip;
response circuit means, attached to said tag, for inputting and
storing baggage information, including:
means for receiving a first electromagnetic wave,
means, responsive to said first electromagnetic wave, for
outputting a second electromagnetic wave indicative of said baggage
information, and
means for starting an operation of said response circuit means when
a portion of said tag is cut; and
reader means for transmitting said first electromagnetic wave to
said response circuit and receiving said second electromagnetic
wave from said response circuit, and reading out said baggage
information indicated by said second electromagnetic wave so that
said baggage is classified in accordance with said baggage
information.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an aircraft baggage managing
system for managing baggages to be loaded into an aircraft.
In general, when baggages not brought into the cabin are encased of
the aircraft, they container and loaded into a storage compartment
of the aircraft. Under such a situation, decides to not get on the
aircraft, the specified the fact that the passenger has checked a
baggage, the specified baggage, once encased in the aircraft
container, is required to be taken out from the aircraft. However,
a conventional system does not have a function to sufficiently
manage the baggage-loaded information, and hence difficulty is
encountered in sorting out the baggage actually loaded into the
aircraft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an
aircraft baggage management system which is capable of
automatically managing baggages to easily recognize the baggages
loaded into the aircraft.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tag
indicative of the fact that a baggage to be loaded into an aircraft
belongs to a passenger which boards the aircraft, the tag including
transmitting and receiving means comprising an antenna, a
modulating and demodulating section and a signal processing
section, the signal processing section storing baggage information
representative of at least an owner of the baggage to which the tag
is attached, and the transmitting and receiving means delivering
the baggage information to an external through a reception and
transmission of an electromagnetic wave.
According to this invention, there is also provided -an aircraft
baggage managing system for computer-managing information of a
baggage to be loaded in an aircraft, comprising: response circuit
means attached to a tag for the baggage, the response circuit means
storing the baggage information indicative of at least a flight
name of the aircraft and an owner of the baggage to be loaded into
the aircraft and further being responsive to a question
electromagnetic wave to output as a response electromagnetic wave
the baggage information; and reader means for transmitting the
question electromagnetic wave to the response circuit means to read
out the baggage information stored in the response circuit means
through the response electromagnetic wave from the response circuit
means when the baggage is encased in a container to be loaded into
the aircraft, and for inputting the read baggage information in a
computer.
Further, according to this invention, there is provided an aircraft
baggage managing system for managing information of a baggage to be
loaded in an aircraft, comprising: response circuit means attached
to the baggage, the response circuit means operating to input and
store the baggage information indicative of at least a flight name
of the aircraft and the owner of the baggage and further being
responsive to a question electromagnetic wave to output as a
response electromagnetic wave the baggage information; and reader
means for transmitting the question electromagnetic wave to the
response circuit means to receive the response electromagnetic wave
from the response circuit means to read out the baggage information
on the basis of the received response electromagnetic wave so that
the baggage is classified in accordance with the read baggage
information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The object and features of the present invention will become more
readily apparent from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a schematic arrangement of an aircraft
baggage managing system according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIGS. 2 and 3 show an arrangement of a tag to be attached to a
baggage to be loaded in an aircraft;
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of a response
circuit attached to a baggage tag;
FIGS. 5A and 5B show different arrangement of an antenna
constructed in the response circuit;
FIG. 6 illustrates the state that the response circuit is attached
to a baggage tag;
FIG. 7 is an illustration of an arrangement of a tag issuing
device;
FIG. 8 is an illustration of an arrangement of a writer for writing
baggage information in the response circuit;
FIG. 9 shows an arrangement of a classification device for
classifying a baggage to which a tag is attached;
FIG. 10 shows an arrangement of a reader for reading the baggage
information from the response circuit;
FIG. 11 shows a reading arrangement for reading the baggage
information when the baggages are encased in a plurality of
containers to be loaded into a corresponding aircraft;
FIG. 12 shows a reading arrangement for reading the baggage
information when the baggage is delivered to the baggage owner;
FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an operation to be executed for
registering the baggage information when the tag is issued;
FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing an operation to be executed for
registering the baggage information when the baggage is encased in
a container;
FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an operation to be executed when a
passenger boards an aircraft;
FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an checking operation between a
passenger and a baggage;
FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing a detailed operation to be executed
in a baggage check routine;
FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram showing a different arrangement of the
response circuit; and
FIG. 19 shows a different arrangement of the tag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described
hereinbelow with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a
conceptual arrangement of the embodiment of this invention. First
the baggage information such as the flight name, date and ID number
(which is the number indicative of the baggage owner and which is
registered together with the passenger in a host computer), is
inputted into a response circuit 3 contained within tag 2. An
issuing device issues tag 2 in accordance with the boarding ticket
received at a boarding counter A. The information corresponding to
the baggage information is written on the surface of the tag 2.
After the baggage stub is handed to the passenger, tag 2 is
attached to baggage 1, which is then conveyed through a belt
conveyer 5, with the tag acting as a classifying device. At each of
the classifying points of the belt conveyer 5, a reader 6 transmits
a question electromagnetic wave to the response circuit 3 contained
within the tag, which in turn transmits an answering
electromagnetic wave to the reader 6, whereby the information
recorded in the response circuit 3 is provided to the reader 6. On
the basis of the response information, the baggage 1 is classified
in connection with the aircraft into which the baggage 1 is loaded.
This classification operation can proceed without stopping the belt
conveyer 5. The classified baggage 1 is then encased in a container
7 and loaded into the target aircraft.
After the aircraft arrives at the target airport, the baggage 1 is
taken out from the aircraft and placed on a belt conveyer 8 so as
to be conveyed toward the passenger. The passenger carries the
private baggage up to a baggage check counter B. Here, the ID
number written on tag 2 is checked against the baggage stub of the
passenger and the baggage 1 is delivered to the passenger. At this
time, the response circuit 3 in tag 2 is withdrawn in order to
prevent the next classification operation from being impeded (due
to interference).
Although a detailed illustration is not made, it can be seen that a
plurality of containers 7 can also be prepared, where then a reader
reads the information indicative of the aircraft and container into
which the baggage 1 is loaded and encased, and the read information
is inputted through a terminal 9a into a host computer 9 and
recorded in a data base 10. When this occurs, the baggage
information is also inputted through the issuing device 4 in the
host computer 9, and when the passenger gets on the aircraft, the
information is inputted through a terminal 9b in the host computer
9. The information recorded in the data base 10 can then be used
for the management of the baggage information, which will be
described hereinafter.
A description will now be made in terms of a detailed arrangement
of this embodiment. First, an arrangement of the tag 2 will be
described hereinbelow. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the
state where tag 2 is attached to the baggage 1, and FIG. 3 is a
cross-sectional side view showing a structure of the tag 2. In
FIGS. 2 and 3, the tag 2 comprises three slips of paper: a main tag
slip 11 attached to the baggage 1; a verification slip 12 for
verifying the baggage owner; and a baggage slip (keeping slip) 13
delivered to the baggage owner. Additionally included is the
response circuit 3 for storing the baggage information. The slips
11 to 13 have on both surfaces writing columns a, b and c,
respectively. Further, between the respective slips 11 to 13 there
are perforations or the like so the slips 11 to 13 are easily
detachable from each other. In addition, the response circuit 3 is
integrally fixed by adhesives 14 provided between the paired slips
11 to 13 of the tag 2. The baggage slip 13 is cut away from the tag
2 and handed to the baggage owner.
A description will now be made hereinbelow in terms of the response
circuit 3. FIG. 4 shows a detailed arrangement of the response
circuit 3. In FIG. 4, the response circuit 3 comprises an IC chip
31 for performing the internal signal processing, an antenna 32 for
receiving a question electromagnetic wave S1 and transmitting a
response electromagnetic wave S2, a battery 33 for driving the IC
chip 31, an operation starting line 34 for stopping the operation
of the response circuit 3 before the circuit is used, and an
operation ending line 35 for ending the operation of the response
circuit 3 after the circuit is used. The operation starting line 34
is provided within the baggage slip 13 and the operation ending
line 35 is provided within the main tag slip 11. Further, the IC
chip 31 comprises a detector 31a for deriving the information
included in the question electromagnetic wave S1 received through
the antenna 32, a level comparator 31b for deciding the reception
of the question electromagnetic wave S1 on the basis of the level
of the signal from the detector 31a so as to supply power to the
circuits, a memory 31c for storing the baggage information, a CPU
31d for performing the transmission operation on the basis of the
baggage information stored in the memory 31c, a clock generator 31e
for generating a clock signal for the operation of the CPU 31d, a
modulator 31f for modulating the question electromagnetic wave S1
on the basis of the output signal of the CPU 31d so as to transmit
the response electromagnetic wave S2 through the antenna 32.
To use the response circuit 3 punched holes 36a and 36b are formed
by a punching device 44 (FIG. 7) when the baggage information is
written by the issuing device 4 which will be described
hereinafter. With this formation of the punched holes 36a and 36b,
the operation start line 34 is cut off, thereby activating a drive
circuit 31g which activates the response circuit 3. Further, when
the baggage information is written by the issuing device 4 at the
boarding counter A, a writing command and the baggage information
are given with respect to the first transmission signal from the
issuing device 4, and the CPU 31d decides the writing of the
baggage information in response to the reception of the writing
command so that the baggage information is written in the memory
31c. The memory 31c is arranged to be operable immediately before
the writing operation of the response circuit 3 so as to be
maintained by the battery 33. After the baggage information is
written in the memory 31c, and when the antenna 32 receives the
question electromagnetic wave S1, the level comparator 31b starts
its power supply operation in response to the reception signal,
thereby supplying power to portions of the response circuit 3. The
CPU 31d modulates the question electromagnetic wave S1 in
accordance with the baggage information stored in the memory 31c so
as to transmit the response electromagnetic wave S2 through the
antenna 32.
Here, when the verification slip 12 is cut off after the use of the
tag 2, the operation ending line 35 provided within the main tag
slip 11 is taken out, thereby activating a discharging circuit 31h,
which operates to discharge the power remaining in the battery
33.
Several variations of the antenna 32 can be used as illustrated in
FIG. 5A or 5B. FIG. 5A shows a dipole antenna comprising two
antenna elements 321 and 322, and FIG. 5B shows a coil antenna
comprising a coil 323 and a capacitor 324. Here, although in this
embodiment the modulation and demodulation are effected with one
antenna, it is appropriate to use two or more antennas which are
respectively for the modulation and the demodulation. Since each of
the aforementioned two antennas has both a front and back
directivity, it is possible to read out the information in the
response circuit 3 from both front and back sides of the tag 2,
whereby assuring that the baggage information can be read out
irrespective of the direction of the tag 2 attached to the baggage
1 during the operation of the belt conveyer. Further, it can be
appropriate to use a different antenna, such as a slot antenna, if
they have directivities at its front and back sides. Moreover, it
is also appropriate to use the same two antennas, such as
microstrip patch antennas so that the two antennas are coupled to
each other and disposed in a manner so as to be directed to both
the front and back sides thereof.
FIG. 6 shows the structure where the response circuit 3 is actually
attached to the tag 2. In FIG. 6, the response circuit 3 spreads
over the three slips: the main tag slip 11, the verification slip
12 and the baggage slip 13. For making easy separation of the main
tag slip 11 and the baggage slip 13 from the verification slip 12,
a material such as polyester and paper, which can easily be cut, is
used as a substrate material of the response circuit 3, and further
cuts 36 are respectively made in the response circuit 3, along with
perforations 37 formed in the tag 2. Here, the cut 36 is for easy
cutting, and hence it is also appropriate to form fine notches at
the circumferential portion of the response circuit 3 in place of
the formation of the cuts 36.
Further, a description will be made hereinbelow with reference to
FIG. 7 in terms of an arrangement of the issuing device 4 for
writing the baggage information in the response circuit 3 when
issuing the tag 2. In FIG. 7, the issuing device 4 is equipped with
a keyboard 41 to input the baggage information. When the baggage
information is inputted through the keyboard 41 in accordance with
the information stated in the boarding ticket, the baggage
information is displayed on a display 42 and an operation is made
for the verification of its contents, before the baggage
information is supplied to the host computer 9, the writer 45 and
printer, which will be described hereinbelow.
In the main portion of the issuing device 4 there is provided a
holder 43 for holding non-written tags 2. The non-written tags 2
are taken out one by one from the holder 43 and the punched holes
36a and 36b are formed at predetermined portions of the tag 2 by
the punching device 44 in order to cut the operation starting line
34 of the tag 2. Thereafter, the baggage information is inputted
through the keyboard 41 in a computer 48, and a writer 45 is
operated under control of the computer 48 to write the baggage
information in the response circuit 3. A printer 46 is also
operated to print the baggage information on the surface of the tag
2. In response to the completion of the writing operation, the tag
2 is delivered by an output opening 47. Here, all the necessary
controls are effected by the computer 48. Further, it is not
required that the writer 45 and printer 46 perform
simultaneously.
FIG. 8 shows a detailed arrangement of the writer 45. In FIG. 8,
the baggage information supplied from the computer 48 is inputted
in the CPU 45a. The CPU 45a causes a modulator 45b to modulate a
carrier wave from a carrier generator 45c in accordance with the
inputted baggage information. This modulated signal is supplied
through a circulator 45d to an antenna 45e, so as to be transmitted
as a transmission signal from the antenna 45e to the response
circuit 3 of the tag 2. In response to the transmission signal, the
response circuit 3 stores the baggage information in the memory 31c
and then supplies a confirmation signal to the writer 45 after the
completion of the storing operation. This confirmation signal is
supplied through the antenna 45e and the circulator 45d to a
demodulator 45f to be demodulated and further supplied to the CPU
45a. When detecting the reception thereof, the CPU 45a ends the
writing operation with respect to the response circuit 3. Here, the
reference 45g represents a clock generator for supplying clocks to
the CPU 45a for their operation.
The tag 2 issued by the aforementioned issuing device 4 is attached
to the baggage 1 and automatically classified after the baggage
slip 13 is handed to the passenger.
In addition, a description will be made in terms of an arrangement
for automatically classify the baggage, having the aforementioned
tag 2, through the belt conveyer 5. In FIG. 9, the reader 6
transmits the question electromagnetic wave S1 in relation to the
tag 2 of the baggage 1 and then inputs the response electromagnetic
wave S2 from the response circuit 3 of the tag 2. The reader 6
reads the baggage information on the basis of the response
electromagnetic wave S2 and, if satisfying the classification
condition, rotationally drives a classifying plate 60 to discharge
the baggage 1 from the belt conveyer 5. With this classifying
operation being effected at every classifying point of the belt
conveyer 5, it is possible to automatically transport the baggage 1
to the corresponding aircraft.
FIG. 10 shows a detailed arrangement of the reader 6, which
comprises an oscillator 61 for generating a transmission carrier
wave, a modulator (MOD) 62 for producing the question wave, S1 by
modulating the carrier wave if required, a circulator 63 for
performing the separation between the transmission wave and the
reception wave, a transmission and reception antenna 64 for
transmitting the question wave S1 and for receiving the response
wave S2, a demodulator 65 for demodulating the received response
wave S2, and a processing section 66 for controlling the modulator
62 in accordance with the information from the demodulator 65 and
further for deciding whether the baggage 1 satisfies the
classification condition on the basis of the demodulated
information so as to drive the classification plate 60. Here, the
detailed arrangement shown in FIG. 10 is similar to the arrangement
shown in FIG. 8.
After the completion of the automatic classification, the baggage 1
is encased in the container 7. FIG. 11 shows the state that each of
5 baggages 1a to 1e respectively having tags 2a to 2e are encased
into either of three aircraft containers 7a to 7c which are loaded
into the same aircraft. Three readers 71 to 73 are respectively
disposed in front of the respective containers 7a to 7c so as to
read the baggage information recorded in the response circuits 3a
to 3e of the tags 2a to 2e attached to the baggages 1a to 1e (the
arrangement of each of the readers 71 to 73 is basically similar to
the arrangement shown in FIG. 10 except for the arrangement of the
processing section 66 which transmits the demodulated information
to the terminal 9a). The baggage information is supplied through
the terminal 9a to the host computer 9 and the encasing information
is stored in the data base 10.
After the aircraft arrives at the destination, the baggages I are
delivered through the belt conveyer 8 toward the passengers. Here,
as illustrated in FIG. 12, a reader 81 reads the baggage
information from the response circuit 3 of the tag 2 and then
displays the ID number (and/or the name of the owner obtained from
ID number) and other information on a display 82, whereby the
passenger can check, in accordance with the display information,
whether the baggage 1 is his or her own.
Further, at the tag check counter B, the verification slip 12 of
the three tag slips is taken off from the main tag slip 11 and
collected when the baggage 1 is handed to the owner. Thus, since
the response circuit 3 is built in the verification slip 12 of the
tag 2, the collection thereof becomes easy. In addition, since the
verification slip 12 is taken off after the use of the tag 2, which
cuts off the operation ending line 35 from the IC chip 31, the
remaining power of the battery 33 is discharged, thereby preventing
the malfunction of the system after its use.
A description will be made hereinbelow in terms of the management
of the baggage information by the host computer 9. First, a
registration operation of the baggage information from the issuing
device 4 for issuing the tag 2 will be described. In FIG. 13, the
operation starts with a step 101 to input the baggage information
from the issuing device 4 through the terminal, then followed by a
step 102 to define a file of the data base 10 in accordance with
the boarding flight name and date of the baggage information.
Further, a step 103 follows to register the ID number in a storing
area of the file corresponding to a baggage managing number (A)
taken in order of issue. Accordingly, with the aforementioned
operation being effected with every issue of the boarding pass, the
ID number of the passenger is registered in the file corresponding
to the boarding flight name and data in order of the baggage
managing number (A).
Secondly, a description will be made hereinbelow in terms of a
registration operation at the time of the encasing into the
container. In FIG. 14, this operation starts with a step 201 to
input through the terminal 9a the date and the flight name of the
aircraft into which the container is loaded, then followed by a
step 202 to select a file in, the data base 10 on the basis of the
input data. Further, a step 203 follows to input the number of a
reader coupled to the terminal 9a and the number of a container for
which the reader is placed. After the execution of these initial
processes, the following operation is effected. That is, a step 204
first follows to check an input from either of the readers. If not
receiving the input, the decision of a step 205 is "NO", whereby
the step 204 is repeatedly performed. On the other hand, if the
input from the reader occurs, the operational flow advances to a
step 206 to check the number of the container corresponding to the
number of the reader which generates the input and further advances
to a step 207 to register the container number at the storing area
of the file in the data base 10 which corresponds to the ID number
of the read baggage information. This operation continues until all
the scheduled baggages are loaded (step 208). Accordingly, with
this operation, the number of the container in which the baggage
will be loaded in the aircraft, together with the ID number of the
baggage, is registered in the file of the data base 10.
Further, a description will be made hereinbelow in terms of a
registration operation effected when the passenger gets on the
corresponding aircraft. At a passenger loading gate there is
provided the terminal 9b which is for inputting the boarding flight
name, date and ID number on the basis of the boarding ticket of the
passenger. In FIG. 15, the host computer 9 executes a step 301 to
input the boarding ticket information from the terminal 9b and
executes a step 302 to select the file of the data base on the
basis of the inputted flight name and data and further executes a
step 303 to write the boarding information (indicative of the fact
that the boarding has been made) at the storing area of the file
corresponding to the ID number. Thus, the boarding information is
written to the file so as to correspond with the ID number of the
passenger.
The verification between the passenger and the baggage is made in
accordance with the above-described registration information. This
operation will be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 16.
In FIG. 16, a step 401 is first executed in order to input the
aircraft flight name and date to be checked, then followed by a
step 402 to select the corresponding file in accordance with the
inputted data, thereafter performing the baggage check operation.
That is, the first number of the baggage managing numbers (I) is
set in a step 403 and the boarding of the passenger corresponding
to the baggage managing number is checked in a baggage check
routine 404. This check operation is effected through steps 405 and
406 with respect to all the baggage managing numbers.
FIG. 17 shows a detailed operation of the aforementioned baggage
check routine 404. A step 404a is first executed to read the
passenger information from the storing area corresponding to the
baggage managing number in the file. Step 404b is then executed to
check whether or not the baggage owner boards the aircraft. If the
passenger does not get on, that is, if the answer of the step 404b
is "NO", a step 404c follows to read the container number stored in
correspondence with the managing number and a step 404d further
follows to output a list indicative of the ID numbers of the
baggage and the number of the container encasing the baggage to be
taken out. Accordingly, by checking the ID number of the baggage
encased in the container corresponding to the container number in
accordance with the outputted list, it is possible to take out the
baggage belonging to the person which does not get on.
Here, if the information indicative of the container in which the
baggage is encased is additionally registered in the data base when
the baggage is encased in the container, it is possible to roughly
confirm the loaded position of the specific baggage in the
container.
A description will be made hereinbelow in terms of a different
arrangement of the response circuit 3. FIG. 18 shows a response
circuit 3 arranged such that the drive power is obtained from the
question electromagnetic wave S1. Since this response circuit 3 is
not equipped with a battery, unlike the above-described response
circuit 3, the particular circuit for suppressing the consumption
of the battery or effecting the consumption of the remaining power
within the battery is not required.
In FIG. 18, the response circuit 3 comprises an antenna 32 for
receiving the question electromagnetic wave S1 and for transmitting
the response electromagnetic wave S2, an IC chip 31 for performing
the internal processing, and a writing terminal 31i for writing the
baggage information in an internal memory. Further, the IC chip 31
has a writable non-volatile memory PROM 31j which can keep the
baggage information even when a power is not supplied thereto. For
writing the baggage information in the response circuit 3, a write
signal or data is supplied from a writer through the writing
terminal 31i thereto so that the baggage information is directly
written in the PROM 31j. At this time, the terminal of the PROM 31j
is directly controllable and hence it is not required to provide a
special circuit or a CPU within the IC chip 31. Further, for
reading the written information, the antenna 32 receives the
question electromagnetic wave S1 from a reader and most of the
reception signal is rectified by a detector 31a so as to be used as
a direct-current power source for driving the circuits. Thus, a
clock generator 31e and the PROM 31j within the IC chip 31 are
driven to produce the response electromagnetic wave including the
contents of the PROM 31j which is in turn transmitted through a
modulator 31f toward the reader.
According to this arrangement, the circuit is not cut at the time
of the circuits use and the entire circuit is withdrawn together
with the verification slip 12, and hence is easily reusable. In
addition, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom when
attaching the response circuit 3 to the tag 2, and hence it is also
possible to arrange the tag 2 as illustrated in FIG. 19. That is,
the tag 2 comprises an attaching portion 14 for coupling the tag 2
to the baggage 1, a pocket 15 and a tag slip 16 encased in the
pocket 15, with the tag slip 16 comprising a printed seal having a
surface to which the response circuit 3 is adhered. Here, the
response circuit 3 and the printed seal are adhered to each other
by an adhesion whose degree is arranged to allow easy separation
therebetween to permit its reuse. On the printed seal there is
printed the information corresponding to baggage information stored
in the response circuit 3.
It should be understood that the foregoing relates to only
preferred embodiments of the present invention, and that it is
intended to cover all changes and modifications of the embodiments
of the invention herein used for the purposes of the disclosure,
which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the
invention. For example, although the above-described embodiment
relates to the computer management for the verification between the
passenger and the baggage, it is appropriate that this invention is
applied to a baggage tracing system operated in case that one
baggage is not loaded into a given aircraft.
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